Middletown School Board Names Principals For Lawrence And Wesley Schools

MIDDLETOWN — — The board of education has named new principals at Lawrence and Wesley elementary schools Tueday night.

Melissa Barbudo, currently associate principal at Hamden High School, will be the new principal at Lawrence. She will succeed Enza Macri, who was hired as associate superintendent earlier this year.

Barbudo has been at Hamden High School since 2010. She taught kindergarten and grades 1 and 4 in Hamden from 2002 until 2010.

Tom Cannata will be the new Wesley principal. He has been the math and science instructional leader for the Plainville school district since 2009. He taught grade 5 at Wheeler Elementary School in Plainville from 2000 to 2009, and was the head teacher there from 2006 to 2009.

Cannata will take over for Joseph Cassella, who was named the Woodrow Wilson Middle School principal in June.

"We have hired some really outstanding people," said school board Chairman Eugene Nocera. "I am so, so amazed by the candidates that have come forward. To bring candidates of this quality to Middletown is exceptional."

The board of education unanimously approved hiring both principals.

Board Vice Chairwoman Sheila Daniels and board member Ava Hart were part of the search committee to find the new principals. Daniels said "the entire committee was very pleased" with both candidates.

Associate Superintendent Enza Macri said start dates for the new principals have yet to be determined.